What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
indulgent
Example
My grandmother is very indulgent with her grandchildren. [indulgent: adjective]
Example
I had an indulgent weekend, eating all my favorite foods and watching movies. [indulgent: adjective]
Example
She indulged in a shopping spree, even though she knew she couldn't afford it. [indulged: verb]
permissive
Example
Her parents were very permissive and let her stay out late every night. [permissive: adjective]
Example
The teacher was criticized for having a permissive attitude towards her students' behavior. [permissive: adjective]
Example
The company had a permissive policy on social media use during work hours. [permissive: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Permissive is more commonly used than indulgent in everyday language. Permissive is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while indulgent is less common and refers to a specific type of leniency.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between indulgent and permissive?
Both indulgent and permissive are informal words, but permissive can be used in more formal contexts, such as policies or regulations, while indulgent is more limited to personal relationships or individual behaviors.
